Latch structure for miniature switch constructions



NOV. 8, 1966 L 3,284,582

LATCH STRUCTURE FOR MINIATURE SWITCH CONSTRUCTIONS Filed March 11, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l 3 J 1% YENTORS ames E. 111 and a b muff/26w dfiodgorsm 74L I 76 56 H M Y Q 5 Z5 7 aziys NOV. 8, 1966 L L 3,284,582

LATCH STRUCTURE FOR MINIATURE SWITCH CONSTRUCTIONS Filed March 11, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mum/r0185 United States Patent I O LATCH STRUCTURE FOR MINIATURE SWITCH CONSTRUCTIONS James E. Hill, Prospect Heights, and Matthew C. Pod- 'This invention relates to improved switch constructions and in particular, the invention is concerned with miniature switch constructions which employ mechanical operations providing versatility and durability in the constructions.

The design of switch constructions has been an extremely active field in recent years. The primary reason for this activity relates to the desire for smaller and smaller switches whereby constructions in which the switches are employed can be maintained within certain size limits. In addition, the rapid increase in the use of electrical systems in all fields has greatly increased the number of switches which must be utilized in various constructions thereby providing a further reason for making switches as small as possible.

Where switches are extremely small, problems have arisen with regard to the durability of the switching mechanisms. Thus, the small size of the components employed will necessarily decrease their strength, and they are, therefore, more susceptible to damage during normal operation and by reason of outside influences. The durability of the switches is not so important from the standpoint of cost since they can be replaced for a relatively low amount insofar as material outlays are concerned. The durability is, however, extremely important from the standpoint of labor costs since the replacement of switches in many cases requires diflicult and time consuming dismantling operations. Furthermore, the durability is very important insofar as the operational reliability of equipment is concerned.

All of the problems previously encountered by the prior art are magnified when applications requiring the use of ganged switch arrangements are involved. In many cases, ganged switch constructions provide mechanisms which are so integrated that failure of any component can result in the necessity for the replacement of the entire construction.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel structural arrangement for switch constructions.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a structural arrangement for switch constructions which is extremely advantageous in that the switches produced are characterized by long life whereby replacement of switches and attendant costs are materially reduced.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide switch constructions which are particularly suitable for assembly into a gang of switches.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a switch construction which is characterized by versatility in its operation whereby the same constnuction can be employed in many diiferent circumstances without the necessity for providing any structural changes in the basic construction.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter and for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, specific embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is aplan view of a gang of switches characterized by the features of this invention;

. FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 1;

, FIGURE 3 is an end elevation of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken about the line 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken about the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken about the line 66 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is a detail elevational view of a latching plate mechanism employed in the construction of this invention;

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view of the mechanism shown in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a detail view of an alternative form for a latching plate mechanism; and,

FIGURES l0 and 11 are detail views of alternative designs for retaining means on the latching plates employed in the construction of this invention.

The switch construction of this invention generally comprises a conventional arrangement wherein a plurality of stationary contacts are located in spaced-apart relationship on an insulating base of the like. A holder is movably positioned adjacent the stationary contacts and contacts are carried by this movable holder for selective engagement with the stationary contacts whereby desired circuits can be completed or broken, as desired.

The improvement of this invention relates to a novel design of a latching system for retaining the holder in at least one desired position to achieve the desired circuit relationship. The invention is also concerned with the holder construction and with the particular means for moving the holder construction between latched and unlatched positions.

FIGURES 1 through 8 illustrate a switch construction including a mounting plate 10 which supports a plurality of housings 12, each of these housings retaining an in dividual switch arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment, the housings 12 comprise generally U-shaped metallic members having protruding fingers 14 and 16 which are adapted to be bent over for securing of the housings to the plate 10 (see FIGURES 4 and 6).

A plurality of stationary contacts 18 are attached to an insulating base member 20. A base member is provided for each switch, and all of the base members are attached to the plate 10. The contacts may terminate in ends 21 (FIGURE 6) which provide for dip solder attachment of an inter-switch printed circuit board 23 nested beneath mounting plate 10. The entire switch bank assembly can then be dip soldered onto a major component printed circuit board eliminating all hand wiring if so desired. Alternatively, terminals 22 (FIGURES 1 through 5) for hand wiring can be employed.

A holder 24 is slideably received within. each housing 12. In the embodiment illustrated, the holders define a pair of internal cavities 26 which receive spring members 28 and contacts 30. Several types of contacts 30 can be used to provide for shorting or non-shorting switching or combinations thereof. It will be appreciated that the spring members normally urge the contacts 30 into engagement with the contacts 18. In this connection, a spring 32 has one end received within a recess.34 defined by the holder 24 while the other end of the spring presses against the back wall 36 of the housing 12. As shown in FIGURE 4, this arrangement normally urges a holder outwardly of its housing.

The construction also includes a rocker member 38 supported on the top wall 40 of the housing 12. The rocker includes downwardly extending finger portions 42 which are received in recesses 44 defined on either side of each holder 24. In the embodiment shown in FIG- URES 1 through 8, a transverse rod 46 extends through openings in the side walls 48 of each rocker, and the rod also extends through the grooved portion 50 de- 3 fined by the top wall 40 of each housing 12. This arrangement retains the rockers in place, and the combination of the grooves 50 and depressions 52 in each rocker permits pivotal action of the rocker with respect to the top wall 40.

A common latching plate 54 is pivotally connected to the mounting plate 10. In the embodiment illustrated, the latching plate defines downwardly extending fingers 56 which fit into slots 58 defined by the mounting plate whereby the latching plate can have limited pivotal move- 'ment with respect to the mounting plate. Springs 60 each have one end attached to the latching plate while the other end is attached to the mounting plate, and the action of these springs normally urges the latching plate into engagement with the end of each rocker 38. In this connection, it will be noted that each rocker 38 defines a protruding finger 62 for engagement with the latching plate. The latching plate defines a retaining recess 64 for receiving the fingers 62. The top portion 65 of latch plate 54 is so shaped to allow release of a bank in the event all switches are in the latched position.

In the operation of the construction of FIGURES 1 through 8, it is necessary to shift the holder for one of the switches from the normal position shown in FIG- URE 4 to the inner position shown in FIGURE 6. To accomplish this, the exposed end 66 of the holder can be pushed inwardly whereby the rocker 38 will pivot due to the interconnection between the rocker and the holder. When this pivoting action occurs, the finger 62 of the particular rocker will ride on the surface of the latch plate forcing the latch plate outwardly as shown in FIG- URE 6, and then the latch plate will snap back whereby the finger 62 will seat in the recess 64.

The switches of this invention can alternatively be operated by pushing a rocker 38 instead of pushing on a holder 24. It will be appreciated that the imparting of a downward force to the outer end of the rocker 38 of FIGURE 4 will also result in latching of the rocker as shown in FIGURE 6 and, since the rockers and holders for each switch are tied together, the switching action will occur. A button 68 may be attached to the rocker 38 for appearance purposes and for simplifying the switching action.

The switch construction of FIGURES 1 through 8 comprises an interlocked arrangement. With this arrangement, a latched switch will automatically be released when another switch is moved to latching position. To illustrate, it will be noted that the forward rocker 38 in FIGURE 6 is in the latched position. If the rocker shown immediately behind this latched rocker were pushed downwardly, the latch plate 54 would be moved to its extreme outer position as shown by the dotted lines, and when this extreme position is achieved, the finger 62 of the forward switch would be moved out of the recess 64, and the action of spring 32 would then cause the forward switch to move to the position of FIGURE 4.

This characteristic of the interlocked arrangement also enables one to unlatch all of the switches when desired. This feature is also illustrated by the showing in FIG- URE 6 since the finger 62 of the rear rocker will unlatch the forward switch; however, the rear switch will only move to latching position if one continues to push on the rocker or holder for the switch. If the pushing force is released before the finger 62 of the rear switch passes over the hump of the latch plate, then this rear switch will return to the unlatched position.

FIGURE 9 illustrates an alternative arrangement of the invention. In this construction, a mounting plate 70 substantially corresponding to the plate is employed. Individual switch constructions, as shown in FIGURE 1, are adapted to be located on this plate, and these constructions correspond in all significant details to the previouslydescribed constructions.

The arrangement of FIGURE 9 differs in that latching plates 72 are individually provided for the respective types.

switches. These latching plates define cross sections which correspond to the cross section shown in FIGURE 8 and, therefore, recesses for retaining ends 62 of the switch rockers are provided in each upstanding portion 74 of the latch plates. Springs 76 hold the plates in a normal position in the same manner as the springs hold the common plate 54.

The arrangement of FIGURE 9 is utilized where it is desired to provide a gang of switches which are not completely interlocked. Thus, any of the switches can be individually latched and this latching action will have no effect on the other switches in the gang.

A releasing bar 78 is associated with the construction of FIGURE 9 whereby the switches can be unlatched in a desired manner. The bar 78 is adapted to be pressed forward into engagement with the ends 74 to move the latch plates outwardly for release of all switches in a latched position.

The arrangement of FIGURE 9 also demonstrates that the switches of this invention can be employed individually to take advantage of their durability and versatility in applications which do not require the ganging of switches. Where such individual switches are employed, individual release bars, such as shown at 78, are utilized. In this connection, it will be appreciated that a plurality of individual switches, each having a separate release bar could be located adjacent each other for certain applications. It will also be appreciated that a wide variety of means could be employed for release bars, both mechanical and electrical solenoid remote operated and the mechanics of such means will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The latching bar configurations may be of various In the embodiment above described, the latching bar comprises an integral member which is formed with ribs and bands with conventional tools whereby the desired retaining recess, the desired cross section, and any necessary reinforcing ribs, can be provided.

FIGURES 10 and 11 illustrate alternative arrangements for latching members. In FIGURE 10, a plate member 80 is provided with a protruding pin member 82 which forms a retaining area at 84. In the construction of FIGURE 11, the plate member 86 is stamped whereby a portion 88 can be cut away from the main body of the plate and suitably bent to form a retaining area at 90. These arrangements obviously comprise only a few of the possible variations in latching plate constructions.

As previously noted, the mechanism of this invention is ideally suited for use in combinationwith printed circuit boards. The board 23 shown inFIGURE 6 is provided with a plurality of holes in a conventional fashion whereby the board can be inserted in place with respect to pins 21. A dip or wave solder operation can then be undertaken for securing the circuit board in place with respect to the ganged switches.

The mechanism are also ideally suited for combination with main circuit boards. In such a system, the assembly shown in FIGURE 6 can be located on a main circuit board of the printed circuit type and thereafter a soldering technique can be utilized for electrically and mechanically securing the gang switches in the main circuit.

The switch constructions described are also characterized by distinct advantages due to the fact that individual switches can be readily replaced in the event that damage occurs. The tabs 14 and 16 are accessible for replacement, and there is nothing to impede lifting of an individual switc'h away from a mounting plate 10 for replace-. ment. This represents a distinct advantage over conventional units wherein it is often more economical to replace an entire bank since the individual switches are virtually inaccessible once a bank has been assembled.

The arrangement shown in FIGURE 5 includes the provision of an extension 100 on the leg 42 of the rocker member. It will be appreciated that a completely separate switch could be located adjacent the switch shown whereby the extension 100 could fit into the groove 44 of the separate switch. Accordingly, the rocker or push mechanism would serve to operate both switches. An additional extension could be provided on the opposite side of the rocker so that three switches could be simultaneously operated.

The arrangements described are also of value since there is no restriction with regard to spacing between individual switches in a bank. A mounting plate can be manufactured with openings for receiving the tabs 14 and 16, the openings being spaced at any desired intervals. Similarly, the latch plate can be provided with engaging portions at regular or irregular intervals at any desired spacing. This arrangement is possible due to the fact that the contact members of the individual switches are not dependent upon particular spacing arrangements.

The concepts of this invention can suitably be employed with electrical mechanisms other than the conventional base contacts and sliding contacts described herein. To illustrate, the rocker member itself could carry means for bridging circuits without the mechanical ope-ration of the construction being changed in any significant respect. It should also be noted in this construction that more than one retaining recess could be defined by a latching member whereby the movement of the rockers and holders would involve more than two positions.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the above described constructions which provide the characteristics of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof particularly as defined in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. In a switch construction comprising a mounting means, a plurality of stationary contacts formed in an insulating base, said base being secured to said mounting means, and including a holder movably held on said mounting means, said holder supporting sliding contacts, said holder being movable over said base for disposing said sliding contacts in at least first and second positions with respect to said stationary contacts, the improvement comprising a latch means for retaining said holder in a position in which the holder is set, said latch means including a rocker having a portion thereof operatively connected to said holder, means pivotally mounting said rocker, a latch member, means for urging said latch member into contact with one end of said rocker, and at least one retaining means defined by said latch member, pivotal movement of said rocker operating to bring said one end of the rocker into contact with said retaining means, the operative connection of said holder with said rocker resulting in sliding movement thereof concurrently with said pivotal movement.

2. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said holder is adapted to be pushed for imparting sliding movement thereto and for imparting pivotal movement to said rocker.

3. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rocker is adapted to be pushed for imparting pivotal movement thereto and for imparting sliding movement to said holder.

4. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said holder and said rocker are adapted to be pushed in the same switch with pivotal movement and sliding movement being tied together whereby pushing of either said holder or said rocker will operate said switch.

5. A construction in accordance with claim 4 wherein pushing action in one direction brings said one end of said rocker into latching position, and including independent release means engageable with said latch means for unlatchin-g said one end and for returning the holder and rocker to their original position.

6. In a switch construction comprising a mounting means, stationary contacts supported on said mounting means, and additional contacts supported on a movable support, said movable support being held on said mounting means, said additional contacts being adapted to be brought into engagement with said stationary contacts, said additional contacts being movable between at least first and second positions, the improvement comprising a latch means for retaining said support in a position in which the support is to be held, said latch means including a rocker having a portion thereof operatively connected to said holder, means pivotally mounting said rocker, a latch member, means for urging said latch member into contact with one end of said rocker, and at least one retaining means defined by said latch member, pivotal movement of said rocker operating to bring said one end of the rocker into contact with said retaining means, the operative connection of said holder with said rocker resulting in sliding movement thereof concurrently with said pivotal movement.

7. In a switch construction which includes mounting means, a plurality of interlocked switches with each switch comprising a plurality of stationary contacts formed in an insulating base and including a holder for supporting sliding contacts, the insulating base and holder for each switch being supported on said mounting means, said holder being movable over said base between at least first and second positions, the improvement comprising a common latch means for retaining holders for the respective switches in positions in which the holders are to be held, said latch means comprising a plate member extending adjacent each of said switches, a rocker for each switch with each rocker having a portion thereof operatively connected to the holder for the respective switch, means pivot-ally mounting each rocker, means for urging said plate member into contact with one end of each of said rockers, and retaining means defined by said plate for engagement with said ends of said rockers, pivotal movement of a rocker operating to bring said one end of the rocker into contact with said retaining means, the operative connection of a holder with an associated rocker resulting in sliding movement of the holder concurrently with the pivotal movement of the rocker.

8. A construction in accordance with claim 7 wherein said one end of each rocker defines a finger portion, and wherein said retaining means comprises a recess adapted to receive said finger portion for retention th reof.

9. A construction in accordance with claim 8 including spring means normally urging said latching plate toward the fingers of said rockers, pivotal movement of a rocker causing its finger to press against the surface of said latching plate for moving the latching plate in opposition to said spring action until said finger seats in said recess.

10. A construction in accordance with claim 9 wherein said latching plate pivots in response to the action of a finger, and wherein unlatching of a rocker of one switch is accomplished by engaging said latching plate with the finger of the rocker of a separate switch to move the finger of said one switch out of said recess.

11. A construction in accordance with claim 10 wherein said unlatching action is accomplished by moving the rocker of said separate switch only part way without latching the rocker of said second switch, complete movement of said separate rocker resulting in latching of the separate rocker.

12. A construction in accordance with claim 10 including an extension defined by said latching plate beyond the retaining means thereof, movement of the finger of a rocker in a latched position beyond the retain-ing means into engagement with said extension resulting in pivotal movement of said latching plate for unlatching other switches in the construction.

13. A construction in accordance with claim 7 including a mounting plate for supporting the construction, said latch plate comprising an elongated member pivotally attached to the mounting plate, individual housings for each of the switches in said construction, said housings be ing mounted on said mounting plate, said holders being reciprocally movable within said housings and said rockers being pivotally mounted on said housings.

14. A construction in accordance with claim 13 includ members being received in said recessed portions for interconnecting the rockers and holders.

15. In a switch construction which includes a common mounting plate and a plurality of switches held in place on the mounting plate with each switch comprising a plurality of stationary contacts formed in an insulating base and including a holder for supporting sliding contacts, said holder being movable over said base between at least first and second positions, the improvement comprising individual plate means for retaining holders for the respective switches in positions in which the holders are to be held, said latch means each comprising a plate member mounted on said mounting plate and extending adjacent a respective switch, a rocker for each switch with each rocker having a portion thereof operatively connected to the holder for the respective switch, means pivotally mounting each rocker, means for urging each plate memher into contact With one end of a respective rocker, and retaining means defined by each plate member for engage ment with said ends of said rockers, pivotal movement of a rocker operating to bring said one end of the rocker into contact with said retaining means, the operative connection of a holder with an associated rocker resulting in sliding movement of the holder concurrently with the pivotal movement of the rocker.

16. A construction in accordance with claim 15 including a common release base adapted to engage each of said latch plates for releasing the ends of said rockers from engagement with the retaining means of said latch plates.

17. A construction in accordance with claim 14 wherein at least one of the protruding means defined by a rocker comprises :an outwardly extending portion, said extending portion being adapted to be received in the recessed portion of an adjacent holder whereby movement of the 8 rocker carrying the protruding means operates to move at least two adjacent holders.

18. In a switch construction for use on a main circuit board, the construction including a gang of individual switches and the circuit board comprising a printed circuit board with the switch construction soldered thereto, each switch in said construction comprising a plurality of stationary contacts formed in an insulating base, mounting means for supporting said base on said circuit board, and including a holder for supporting sliding contacts, said holder being movably held by said mounting means and being movable over said base between at least first and second positions, the improvement comprising a common latch means for retaining holders for the respective switches in positions in which the holders are to be held, said latch means comprising a plate member extending adjacent each of said switches, a rocker for each switch with each mocker having a portion thereof operatively connected to the holder for the respective switch, means pivotally mounting each rocker, means for urging said plate member into contact with one end of each of said rockers, and retaining means defined by said plate for engagement with said ends of said rockers, pivotal movement of a rocker operating to bring said one end of the rocker into contact with said retaining means, the operative connection of a holder with an associated rocker resulting in sliding movement of the holder concurrently with the pivotal movement of the rocker.

19. A construction in accordance with claim 18 including a printed circuit board associated With the switch construction, said stationary contacts including downwardly extending pins being interfitted with said last mentioned circuit board.

No references cited.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A SWITCH CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING A MOUNTING MEANS, A PLURALITY OF STATIONARY CONTACTS FORMED IN A INSULATING BASE, SAID BASE BEING SECURED TO SAID MOUNTING MEANS, AND INCLUDING A HOLDER MOVABLY HELD ON SAID MOUNTING MEANS, SAID HOLDER SUPPORITING SLIDING CONTACTS, SAID HOLDER BEING MOVABLE OVER SAID BASE FOR DISPOSING SAID SLIDING CONTACTS IN AT LEAST FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS WITH RESPECT TO SAID STATIONARY CONTACTS, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A LATCH MEANS FOR RETAINING SAID HOLDER IN A POSITION IN WHICH THE HOLDER IS SET, SAID LATCH MEANS INCLUDING A ROCKER HAVING A PORTION THEREOF OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID HOLDER, MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID ROCKER, A LATCH MEMBER, MEANS FOR URGING SAID LATCH MEMBER INTO CONTACT WITH ONE END OF SAID ROCKER, AND AT LEAST ONE RETAINING MEANS DEFINED BY SAID LATCH MEMBER, PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID ROCKER OPERATING TO BRING SAID ONE END OF THE ROCKER INTO CONTACT WITH SAID RETAINING MEANS, THE OPERATIVE CONNECTION OF SAID HOLDER WITH SAID ROCKER RESULTING IN SLIDING MOVEMENT THEREOF CONCURRENTLY WITH SAID PIVOTAL MOVEMENT. 